Mikel Arteta issues transfer warning to Arsenal stars as he labels bloated pre-season squad ‘unsustainable’
MIKEL ARTETA has warned that Arsenal’s inflated squad is too big ahead of the new season, but admitted the club are open to departures.
The Gunners boss has already made three new additions to his team in the summer window with rumours swirling about more arrivals.
But it seems departures may be top of the North London club’s list of priorities with Arteta now balancing 30 different players in his squad.
Speaking after his side’s 5-3 pre-season win against Barcelona, the Arsenal boss made it clear that his squad is too big.
He said: “We have 30 players here which is unsustainable. The market is still open and things can happen. We are prepared for that.
“We still have improvements to make in terms of what we want to do in games but I am really happy with the squad at the moment.”
Players such as Rob Holding, Kieran Tierney and Folarin Balogun have all been linked with moves away from The Emirates stadium this summer.
Arsenal have reportedly slapped a £50million price tag on Balogun who impressed on loan in Ligue 1 last season.
The 22-year-old USA international bagged 21 goals for French side Reims in the league and is said to be looking for a permanent exit from Arsenal this summer.
Meanwhile Newcastle United are rumoured to be keen on Tierney who has fallen behind Oleksandr Zinchenko in the pecking order under Arteta.
DREAM TEAM IS LIVE – JOIN NOW TO BATTLE FOR THE £50k TOP PRIZE
However the Scotsman seems open to staying in the capital and recently admitted any decision about his future is out of his hands.
He said: “It’s not really up to me. I’ve not had any discussions with the manager and I’m just working hard every day and trying to do as well as I can.”